Facebook Marketplace

[Cary]

I don't have Facebook, but it seems that Facebook Marketplace is becoming the defacto place to buy and sell stuff.

I really don't want Facebook. Is there a way to create a minimal account to be able to use just Facebook Marketplace?

[Carnos Jax]

You are absolutely right on your assessment of Facebook marketplace. In a small town like mine, craigslist is not very effective, but Facebook marketplace is the best thing since sliced bread. I created a fake profile and use it only for selling (did this about a year or two ago). After you have Several buyerreviews, people will trust you.

[Cary]

So, at the risk of sounding dumb, how did you create a fake profile? Is all you need a throwaway email address?

[deckeda]

Use any first name, last name you want although I don’t see the advantage here. You’re going to be doing business with people who might not appreciate learning who you are until you show up.

You don’t have to “friend” anyone or click on any links in the timeline. You can pretty much just only visit the Marketplace.

[cbelt3]

I sold my old civic with it ! I could even check out the public profile of the buyers so I knew what to expec. That was very comforting

[graylocks]

I think the advice to have a fake profile is way off base. the advantage of FB Marketplace to me is that's it's NOT anonymous like Craigslist and thus a bit more of accountability. Honesty does count for something in my view.

Yes, you can set up a minimal account with every privacy setting in place that you can research. The only disadvantage of not having a slightly more present profile is that I sometimes look at a seller's profile to help discern if they are a real person or a scammer. of course, any info can be faked but it's a start.

[rz]

My wife uses Facebook, so I haven't needed to create an account. We've sold several things on it recently. Seems to be better than Craigslist. Unfortunately, I don't think there's any way to browse it without an account

[Z]

FB Marketplace is effectively choking CL out in my local market. :villagers:

[testcase]

I generally avoid FB however, when I was selling my "stick & brick", my realtor was familiar with FB Marketplace. I had LOTS of "stuff" I needed to get rid of and the realtor took care of ALL the pictures and postings. She used my phone number. Generally, people called, showed up with cash and got good to great deals and I got some cash. MUCH better than Craigslist

[Carnos Jax]

graylocks wrote:
I think the advice to have a fake profile is way off base. the advantage of FB Marketplace to me is that's it's NOT anonymous like Craigslist and thus a bit more of accountability. Honesty does count for something in my view.

Yes, you can set up a minimal account with every privacy setting in place that you can research. The only disadvantage of not having a slightly more present profile is that I sometimes look at a seller's profile to help discern if they are a real person or a scammer. of course, any info can be faked but it's a start.

The irony in my case is, exactly like you said, I rely on the lack of anonymity and transparency that Facebook provides in allowing me to screen customers. Actually it’s more like, since someone’s social media rep is at stake, customers don’t tend to miss behave.

In my case I sell a lot of stuff, and sometimes I have to make outlandish stories on why I’m selling something (people don’t like to know you’re buying stuff cheap from the stores on clearance and reselling them). I’m so if my family and friends always saw these crazy stories, they would think what’s up? So if you’re not selling at such a volume like a reseller, and have legit reasons to sell stuff otherwise, then I think using your own name would be fine.

Oh, and are used to completely fictitious first and last name. And I used a yahoo email address that’s more or less a Throw away.